1963 Map of Cow Springs Mountain

About this map

The Continental Divide crests through this high-desert landscape on the border of Grant and Luna Counties, marking a watershed where drainage systems like Walnut Creek and McDonald Draw define the topography. This mid-century survey illustrates a ranching economy reliant on a network of water improvements, featuring family-named landmarks such as the Dave Smith Windmill, Childress Windmill, and the Thorne Hay Draw Tank. Historically significant transportation routes intersect the terrain, most notably the Butterfield Trail, which cuts across the southern portion of the quadrangle. Centered on Cow Springs Mountain, the area remains anchored by established operations like the Cow Springs Ranch and Trinity Ranch. The map captures a moment when traditional land use persisted alongside modern infrastructure, evidenced by a Pipeline cutting through the northeast corner near Antelope Draw.